Checklist: 10 signs that you are lying too much
Olga Lukinskaya
Falsehood is a notion around which do not cease for millennia. Everyone has their own opinion about whether to consider the non-reservation of truth as a lie and whether a lie can be a good "salvation." There is the concept of compulsive lies - in such cases, the lie becomes a daily habit, part of the lifestyle. One untruth is superimposed on another, a lie grows like a snowball, and a person can no longer stop. We chose ten signs that could indicate - or not - to a compulsive lie.
1
You tell a lie to seem better
Unfortunately, lies often begin with a low self-esteem - and a person comes up with interesting stories in order to appear more attractive. Sometimes he does not even wait for the question to tell his bike, but tries to attract attention with its help. It happens that compulsive liars say that they are supposedly seriously ill (for example, with a common cold they "confess" that they have AIDS); and all this - from the thirst for attention and attempts to cause pity.
2
You develop a fictional story day by day.
Compulsive lies are usually consistent and logical when one plot goes on to another. Such a lie is caused not by a keen desire to hide something - who among us, finally, being late for work, did not invent a story about a stuck elevator. On the contrary, with a compulsive lie there are no obvious reasons for it, but it continues just like that, if only to support the worked out legend. True, children have fictional stories with non-existent characters (like Carlson) - this is most likely a normal part of the development of the psyche.
3
You do not feel guilt or discomfort when you cheat
If a lie has become second nature, then it can not cause unpleasant sensations - as well as "catch red-handed." According to some data, pathological liars do not upset the exposure at all, on the other - they perceive it with anger and aggression, but in any case they do not suffer conscience, and sometimes they try to invent a new lie in return for the old one. If you feel inconvenience or sadness, telling a lie, - most likely, compulsive, or pathological, lies you do not suffer.
4
Have you ever been diagnosed with a personality disorder or addiction?
Compulsive lies can be associated with mental illness such as bipolar disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity syndrome. Attempts to hide alcoholism, gambling addiction or eating disorder can also lead to the fact that a lie will develop to a pathological one. It turns out that all these conditions increase the risk of compulsive lies; Of course, they require consultation with a specialist and a serious approach to treatment.
5
You cheat to justify yourself
Come up with a story about a three-hour traffic jam on the road, so as not to admit that you overslept? Tell me that something poisoned, when in fact to leave the house does not give a hangover? Such a lie is not compulsive, it is associated with a slight sense of shame inherent in every person for what he has done and, perhaps, with a certain ethical and social framework of our life. Indeed, colleagues will not suffer if they do not know the truth, and at the same time your reputation will not suffer.
6
You exaggerate and embellish
Hyperbole is a simple literary device that makes jokes funnier, but if you exaggerate every little thing, it can be a sign of compulsive lies. The need to constantly embellish, perhaps associated with the first item on this list - the desire to seem more interesting. Think too often if you exaggerate the facts, talking to others - and why do you need it, if the truth is easy and pleasant to speak.
7
Your lies are not social
If you praise Grandma's pie, which you didn’t like, or tell a friend that she has a very cool new hair color (although the previous one seemed better to you), this is a so-called social lie, part of the usual interaction of people with each other, a product of politeness and ethical normal There is nothing wrong with that, and such moments only help to maintain good relations. The most unpleasant thing to which such a lie can lead: every time at a visit to your grandmother, that same unloved cake will be waiting for you.
8
You arrogate to yourself other people's stories
Compulsive liars often expose precisely because something in their stories seems familiar to others - and then it turns out that it was a retelling of a news release or storyline of a book, but with itself as the main character. In such cases, when the story is repeated many times, a person often starts to believe that this happened to him - and even a lie detector can show that he is telling the truth.
9
You have already been caught in a lie
Have you been told that you often lie? Did you have problems with lying in childhood? Did your habit of lying spoil your relationship with a friend or a loved one? These signs clearly indicate a compulsive lie. Usually close people are able to endure the antics of those whom they love for a long time: if you do make comments, then it seems that things have gone too far.
10
You're lying out of boredom
Sometimes the habit of compulsive lies develops because a person lacks emotion, “adrenaline” or interesting events in life. If this is your case, it may make sense to redirect the energy into creativity — start writing an art book or do abstract painting. Diversity in everyday life is also usually quite within our power - you can always try an extreme sport.
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